Luke Moore, Zac Attwood and Brett Johnson are among Margate’s summer signings so far and Saunders doesn’t mind his former club taking the close-season spotlight.

He said: “It puts the pressure on them. It becomes everyone’s cup final, especially when people hear what they’re paying.

Maidstone boss Jay Saunders Picture: Andy Payton

“If their chairman wants to have a good go, spending money, it’s completely up to him. It’s not as easy to get out of this league as what people think, though.

“Don’t get me wrong, it helps if you can pay big money and get the best players. I spent a long time there, it’s a good club and I hope for their sake that it’s not something that fades out and they then find themselves in a lot of trouble.”

One player not with Stones next season is right-back Elliott Cox, who left the club this week.

Saunders said: “I spoke to him at the end of the season and we couldn’t reach an agreement but it’s not just about money."